Method and system for identifying addressing data within a television presentation

ABSTRACT

Characters represented within a frame of a television presentation are identified. A pattern formed by a subset of the characters is identified if the pattern is indicative of an addressing datum. A provision is made for a selection of characters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, a web page is displayed upon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of an uniform resource locator for the web page.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to the provisional filedapplication entitled Dynamic URL OCR and automatic hyperlinking, filedon Dec. 4, 2000, Ser. No. 60/251,248, which is also incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to the field of television. Morespecifically, the invention relates to identifying addressing datawithin a television presentation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With the increasing popularity of the Internet as a means ofconveying and receiving information, television presentations such asbroadcasted programs have increasingly incorporated displayingaddressing data such as uniform resource locators (“URLs”). For example,it is not uncommon for a presentation to state at its conclusion,“Please visit us at www.ourwebpage.com.” In this example,“www.ourwebpage.com” is an addressing datum; an URL, to be precise.Using this URL, a viewer may direct a device capable of Internetbrowsing to a web page specific to the television presentation viewed.The web page may contain additional information of similar interest towhat was seen in the television presentation. One who is directed to theweb page may also be presented with the opportunity to send informationthrough the Internet to those associated with the televisionpresentation. Of course, the addressing datum need not be a web page;television presentations also sometimes display other addressing datasuch as email addresses, and the display of telephone numbers intelevision presentations is also common. Other varied forms ofaddressing data that allow one to contact another are also conceivable.

[0004] Television presentations are inherently limited to a span ofviewing time. A television commercial, as one example of a televisionpresentation, may only be made up of relatively few frames in which anaddressing datum may be displayed. The addressing datum may in somecases be difficult to immediately commit to memory in the relativelyshort presentation time. Means for recording the addressing datum in amore permanent form, such as a pencil and paper or a video recorder, maynot be available, or may require so much time to prepare and use thatthe frames of the television presentation containing the addressingdatum have already vanished from view. In some circumstances, preparingsuch recording means may require more time and effort than a viewerdesires to invest in recording or using the addressing datum. Becauseone television presentation typically immediately follows another, aviewer may be disinclined to interrupt his viewing experience to use adevice, such as a telephone or a computer, to input the addressingdatum. Thus, a viewer may be frustrated in his attempt to contact apresenter via the addressing datum, and the presenter may never evenbecome aware that a viewer desired to contact him via the addressingdatum, making the whole display of the addressing datum in thetelevision presentation a somewhat pointless undertaking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Characters represented within a frame of a televisionpresentation are identified. A pattern formed by a subset of thecharacters is identified if the pattern is indicative of an addressingdatum. A provision is made for a selection of characters that form thepattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, a webpage is displayed upon a selection of characters that form a patternindicative of an uniform resource locator for the web page.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention will be understood more fully from thedetailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings ofvarious embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not betaken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are forexplanation and understanding only.

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram for identifying addressing datawithin a television presentation, according to one embodiment;

[0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for taking action upon aselection of an addressing datum, according to one embodiment; and

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a system for identifying addressing data withina television presentation, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram for identifying addressing datawithin a television presentation, according to one embodiment. Inprocess block 110, characters represented within a frame of a televisionpresentation are identified. The characters may be alphanumericcharacters. The characters may be identified using optical characterrecognition software. The characters may be represented within one ormore frames of many frames of a television presentation. Each framecontains a time slice image of the television presentation. Of course,characters could also be identified in presentations other thantelevision presentations. Characters may be identified which arerepresented within frames of any multi frame visual presentation.Character identification may take place prior to or after an actualbroadcasting of a television presentation. Optical character recognitionsoftware could be used to process a recorded visual presentation at anytime. Character identification through optical character recognitionsoftware could be used by a producer, a broadcaster, or a viewer. In oneembodiment, the process, beginning with character identification, isstarted when a viewer presses a button, such as a button on a remotecontrol.

[0011] In process block 120, a pattern formed by a subset of thecharacters, the pattern indicative of an addressing datum, isidentified. The pattern may be one of a number of predeterminedrecognized patterns. Each pattern may be indicative of a different kindof addressing datum. For example, the characters “www.” or “http://”form patterns indicative of an uniform resource locator, one kind ofaddressing datum. A string of characters including an “@” symbol areindicative of an email address. Three digits enclosed in parenthesis,followed by three more digits, followed by a hyphen, followed by fourdigits is a pattern indicative of a telephone number, one kind ofaddressing datum. Of course, various other kinds of addressing data arepossible, each having a different corresponding pattern.

[0012] In process block 130, a selection is provided for of thecharacters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. Theselection of the characters that form the pattern indicative of theaddressing datum may be accomplished by using the controls on atelevision remote control. Up, down, left, and right buttons on theremote control may be used to move a visible pointer on a televisionscreen. A button on the television remote control may be used toindicate a selection of characters in the region of the visible pointer.In one embodiment, the television presentation is paused at the currentframe when a viewer initiates the character identification process, asby pushing a button. In one embodiment, rather than pausing thetelevision presentation upon initiation of the character identificationprocess, the viewing screen is divided into regions and the televisionpresentation continues in one region. In one embodiment, the televisionpresentation continues behind recognized characters.

[0013] In one embodiment, characters that form the pattern indicative ofthe addressing datum are visually distinguished from other charactersrepresented within the frame of the television presentation, shown inprocess block 140. For example, characters may be distinguished by theoverlaying of a graphic over the frame of the television presentation.The overlaying graphic may be a translucent rectangular area coveringthe characters to be distinguished, causing the overlayed characters toappear in a different color. Other schemes to distinguish the addressingdatum are possible. The graphical overlay may cause the characters toappear to be underlined, similar to an Internet hyperlink. Thisidentification and underlining process may be viewed as automatichyperlinking.

[0014] Several different addressing data may be represented within asingle frame of a television presentation. In such a case, each of therecognized addressing data may be visually distinguished, as describedabove, from other characters represented within the frame that do notindicate an addressing datum. In process block 150, according to oneembodiment, characters that form the pattern indicative of theaddressing datum in an area of the frame of the television presentationin which a pointer is positioned are visually distinguished from othercharacters represented within the frame of the television presentationthat also form a pattern indicative of an addressing datum. Thus, in aframe containing more than one addressing datum, an addressing datumover which a pointer is positioned may be visually distinguished fromother addressing data in the frame. In one embodiment, the selectionprocess is ended after a predetermined time period has expired. In oneembodiment, the selection process is ended upon some indication beingmade that no action is to be taken. Such an indication may be madethrough the selection of an “exit” or “no action” option represented inthe frame with the addressing data. In one embodiment, the addressingdatum may be edited. This editing permits a viewer to correct errorsthat may result during the optical character recognition process. Theaddressing datum may also be edited prior to actual broadcasting.

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for taking action upon aselection of an addressing datum, according to one embodiment. Indecision block 201, it is determined whether there has been a selectionof characters that form a pattern indicative of an addressing datum. Ifthere has been a selection of characters that form a pattern indicativeof an addressing datum, then in decision block 202, it is determinedwhether the pattern is indicative of an email address. If it isdetermined that the pattern is indicative of an email address, then inprocess block 203, email is sent to the email address. If it isdetermined in decision block 202 that the pattern is not indicative ofan email address, then in decision block 204, it is determined whetherthe pattern is indicative of an uniform resource locator for a web page.If it is determined that the pattern is indicative of an uniformresource locator for a web page, then in process block 205, the web pageis displayed. If the television is not capable of displaying a web page,then in one embodiment, an Internet-ready computer may be directed todisplay the web page instead. If it is determined that the pattern isnot indicative of an uniform resource locator for a web page, then indecision block 206, it is determined whether the pattern is indicativeof a telephone number. If the pattern is indicative of a telephonenumber, then in process block 207, the telephone number is dialed. Ofcourse, the pattern listed above are not exclusive. Analysis of thepatterns need not be performed in any particular order.

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates a system for identifying addressing data withina television presentation, according to one embodiment. The systemincludes a television 301. The television 301 is to display a televisionpresentation. The system includes a first unit to identify charactersrepresented within a frame of a television presentation, and to identifya pattern formed by a subset of the characters, the pattern indicativeof an addressing datum. The system also includes a second unit coupledwith the first unit to provide for a selection of characters that formthe pattern indicative of the addressing datum. In one embodiment, thefirst unit and the second unit are incorporated in set-top box 302,coupled with television 301. In one embodiment, the second unit isincorporated in settop box 302, and the first unit is incorporated intelevision media provider 305, which communicates with set-top box 302through television communication medium 306. In one embodiment,television media provider 305 is a computer. Television media provider305 may have stored on it a number of files that represent televisionpresentations. These television presentations may be broadcast toset-top box 302 through television communication medium 306. Set-top box302, in turn, may transmit the television presentation to television301. Television communication medium 306 may be a form of guided media,such as a cable, or it may be a form of unguided media, such aselectromagnetic waves. A viewer may use remote control 303 to sendcommands to set-top box 302. These commands may tell set-top box 302 toselect a channel or an addressing datum displayed on television 301. Inone embodiment, set-top box 302 graphically overlays the addressing datapresented on television 301, as described above.

[0017] In one embodiment, set-top box 302 is coupled with Internet 307.In this way, set-top box 302 may send email through the Internet andreceive email from the Internet. In one embodiment, set-top box 302 iscoupled with a computer that is in turn coupled with the Internet 307.In one embodiment, set-top box 302 is also coupled with a telephonenetwork 308. In this way, set-top box 302 may dial telephone numbersrepresented by addressing data. In one embodiment, set-top box 302 isnot present, and television 301 contains all of the functionality ofset-top box 302.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first unit is also to visually distinguishthe characters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datumfrom other characters represented within the frame of the televisionpresentation. In one embodiment, the second unit is also to visually todistinguish characters that form the pattern indicative of theaddressing datum in an area of the frame of the television presentationin which a pointer is positioned from other characters representedwithin the frame of the television presentation that form a patternindicative of an addressing datum. In one embodiment, the second unit isalso to dial a telephone number upon a selection of characters that forma pattern indicative of the telephone number represented within theframe of the television presentation that form a pattern indicative ofan addressing datum. In one embodiment, the second unit is also to diala telephone number upon a selection of characters that form a patternindicative of the telephone number. In one embodiment, the second unitis also to send an email to an email address upon a selection ofcharacters that form a pattern indicative of the email address. In oneembodiment, the second unit is also to display a web page upon aselection of characters that form a pattern indicative of an uniformresource locator for the web page.

[0019] The embodiments described above can be implemented using softwarein a TV viewing system. Such a TV viewing system can be implemented inmany ways. A typical approach to implementation uses a set-top box thatcontains, among other things, a CPU, storage (e.g., RAM, ROM, etc.), areceiving network adapter, and circuitry to drive a viewing system suchas a TV, monitor, projector, etc. All of these elements are notnecessarily shown, but are well know in the art. For purposes of theembodiments described below, any other grouping, such as a TV with abuilt-in CPU, or a personal computer with TV capabilities are consideredto be equivalent. Such television viewing system are typically suppliedwith TV content by system operators, including but not limited to cableprovider/operators, satellite provider/operators, broadcasters,overbuilders, etc.

[0020] The method and apparatus disclosed herein may be integrated intoadvanced Internet- or network-based knowledge systems as related toinformation retrieval, information extraction, and question and answersystems. The system has a processor coupled to a bus. Also coupled tothe bus are a memory which may contain instructions. Additionalcomponents coupled to the bus are a storage device (such as a harddrive, floppy drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), an input device (such as akeyboard, mouse, light pen, bar code reader, scanner, microphone,joystick, etc.), and an output device (such as a printer, monitor,speakers, etc.). Of course, an exemplary computer system could have morecomponents than these or a subset of the components listed.

[0021] The method described above can be stored in the memory of acomputer system (e.g., set top box, video recorders, etc.) as a set ofinstructions to be executed. In addition, the instructions to performthe method described above could alternatively be stored on other formsof machine-readable media, including magnetic and optical disks. Forexample, the method of the present invention could be stored onmachine-readable media, such as magnetic disks or optical disks, whichare accessible via a disk drive (or computer-readable medium drive).Further, the instructions can be downloaded into a computing device overa data network in a form of compiled and linked version.

[0022] Alternatively, the logic to perform the methods as discussedabove, could be implemented in additional computer and/or machinereadable media, such as discrete hardware components as large-scaleintegrated circuits (LSI's), application-specific integrated circuits(ASIC's), firmware such as electrically erasable programmable readonlymemory (EEPROM's); and electrical, optical, acoustical and other formsof propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digitalsignals, etc.); etc.

[0023] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that variousmodifications and changes may be made to these embodiments withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described aboveapply also to satellite and internet and telephone systems as well ascable systems. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying charactersrepresented within a frame of a television presentation; identifying apattern formed by a subset of the characters, the pattern indicative ofan addressing datum; and providing for a selection of characters thatform the pattern indicative of the addressing datum.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: visually distinguishing the characters thatform the pattern indicative of the addressing datum from othercharacters represented within the frame of the television presentation.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: visually distinguishingcharacters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum inan area of the frame of the television presentation in which a pointeris positioned from other characters represented within the frame of thetelevision presentation that form a pattern indicative of an addressingdatum.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: upon a selection ofcharacters that form a pattern indicative of a telephone number, dialingthe telephone number.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: upona selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of an emailaddress, sending email to the email address.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: upon a selection of characters that form a patternindicative of an uniform resource locator for a web page, displaying theweb page.
 7. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions that,when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operationscomprising: identifying characters represented within a frame of atelevision presentation; identifying a pattern formed by a subset of thecharacters, the pattern indicative of an addressing datum; and providingfor a selection of characters that form the pattern indicative of theaddressing datum.
 8. The machine-readable medium of claim 7, whereinoperations further comprise: visually distinguishing the characters thatform the pattern indicative of the addressing datum from othercharacters represented within the frame of the television presentation.9. The machine-readable medium of claim 7, wherein operations furthercomprise: visually distinguishing characters that form the patternindicative of the addressing datum in an area of the frame of thetelevision presentation in which a pointer is positioned from othercharacters represented within the frame of the television presentationthat form a pattern indicative of an addressing datum.
 10. Themachine-readable medium of claim 7, wherein operations further comprise:upon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of atelephone number, dialing the telephone number.
 11. The machine-readablemedium of claim 7, wherein operations further comprise: upon a selectionof characters that form a pattern indicative of an email address,sending email to the email address.
 12. The machine-readable medium ofclaim 7, wherein operations further comprise: upon a selection ofcharacters that form a pattern indicative of an uniform resource locatorfor a web page, displaying the web page.
 13. A system comprising: afirst unit to identify characters represented within a frame of atelevision presentation, and to identify a pattern formed by a subset ofthe characters, the pattern indicative of an addressing datum; and asecond unit coupled with the first unit to provide for a selection ofcharacters that form the pattern indicative of the addressing datum. 14.The system of claim 13, wherein the first unit is also to visuallydistinguish the characters that form the pattern indicative of theaddressing datum from other characters represented within the frame ofthe television presentation.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein thesecond unit is also to visually distinguishing characters that form thepattern indicative of the addressing datum in an area of the frame ofthe television presentation in which a pointer is positioned from othercharacters represented within the frame of the television presentationthat form a pattern indicative of an addressing datum.
 16. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the second unit is also to dial a telephone numberupon a selection of characters that form a pattern indicative of thetelephone number.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the second unit isalso to s end email to an email address upon a selection of charactersthat form a pattern indicative of the email address.
 18. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the second unit is also to display a web page upon aselection of characters that form a pattern indicative of an uniformresource locator for the web page.